Page 13 of My Dangerous Duke

Her body language screamed defiance and resolution. He was attacking her, he realized. Silently, he had been all day. Other than saying the words demanded of him, he had not spoken to her as a husband would speak to his wife. These things seemed petty to him, but to her credit, he could understand her disappointment. When it came to being a husband, he had already admitted that he would be lacking.

“You look beautiful today,” he spoke, his deep voice radiating in the silence.

It was not much, but he did not know what else he could offer her. Eleanor raised a brow but did not deviate her gaze from the window.

You have done this to her,Xander thought, feeling guilt well up.You are no better than her father.

You do,” he assured her, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “I apologize if I have been… cold. I can be quite business-minded and with your father’s contract it just felt like-”

“Business,” Eleanor finished for him. The steel in her voice was sharp as she said it. Then she turned away from him to face the window with a stoic expression.

“Yes, this union is business,” Xander agreed begrudgingly. He felt another surge of guilt and he did not like it. What was there to feel guilty for? This blackmail business deal was all Victor’s doing. Not his.

“Thank you for the compliment, Your Grace,” Eleanor sighed, “It was most welcome. If you do not mind, though, I am feeling quite weary. I believe I shall try to rest my eyes.”

Chapter 6

In her sleep, Eleanor felt warmth wrap slowly around her body, taking away the slight chill. With a sigh, she relaxed further, more comfortable than ever before, and reached for whatever it was that had been wrapped around her. Her fingers brushed against muscles wrapped in soft cotton, and with a gasp, she opened her eyes to see Xander staring down at her intently.

Sometime during the trip, he had taken off his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his white dress shirt. He had also removed his cravat and undid a couple of the buttons at the top; revealing lines of muscle, corded veins, and a soft tuft of dark chest hair. Xander’s hair had also fallen out of whatever hold it had been kept in, and a lock of his dark hair fell over one of his eyes.

“How did you sleep?” Xander asked.

Eleanor felt the vibrations of his words through his chest, where her right hand had somehow landed. It tickled her palm andsent another curious sensation; this time a little lower, and more between her thighs.

“I-um,” Eleanor rasped. She cleared her throat, feeling herself blush under his continued intent stare. “I apologize. I did not think I would actually sleep, I just meant to rest my eyes.”

“It is all right,” Xander assured her, his gaze dropping to her lips. “You speak in your sleep.”

“I do not!” Eleanor gasped. Suddenly embarrassed, she attempted to squirm out of his arms and failed. With a chuckle, Xander simply tightened his muscles and had her back against his chest.

“It is not a complaint,” he assured her, a smile tugging at his lips. “But I am a bit concerned. I do not know what the monkey was doing to the blue dog at the pond, but it sounded terrifying.”

“You lie!” Eleanor protested, unable to hold back her laugh.

“I speak the truth,” Xander countered, a sudden heat turning his silver eyes molten. He was smirking and still playful, but something had shifted in him. For a moment, his muscles tightened- as if he were about to bring her closer- but then they released, and Eleanor felt her body being carefully slid back down onto the carriage seat.

“We have arrived,” he informed her, finally looking away from her and toward the carriage window.

Eleanor followed Xander’s line of sight and her eyes widened as she took in the sheer size of Larsen Hall. The large stone fortress could have easily fit her family’s London Manor five times over.

“This is just for you?” She asked, unable to mask the awe in her voice.

“Not quite,” Xander chuckled, his own eyes searching over the large sculptures. “Though I do prefer when I have it to myself, the entire Harrison family has access to Larsen Hall, and there are many times I must host associates from abroad. In addition, there is a staff of fifty that we also house.”

He gave her a sideways glance.

“And, now that there is a duchess in the house, we shall be expected to host our fellow nobles when parties are required.”

Something in Xander’s voice told her he was not thrilled about this, but before she could ask why it was necessary, Xander opened the carriage door and got out.

“Come,” he urged softly, offering her his hand. “The staff is right inside waiting for you. They are most anxious to meet their new Lady of the House.”

Taking his hand, Eleanor got out of the carriage and allowed Xander to lead her inside. Upon entering the massive marble-lined foyer, they were greeted by his staff, who offered them both warm congratulations. To his surprise, Eleanor’s combativespirit from earlier vanished, and before his eyes, he saw a kind, gracious lady immediately begin to greet each servant with a smile and a soft touch.

“What was that?” Xander chuckled as he led her away afterward. Eleanor frowned at him as she let him lead her up the grand staircase.

“What do you mean?” She asked cautiously.

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